Apple engineer warned about antenna problems a year ago

DailyTech reports the issues with the antenna of the iPhone 4 did not come as a surprise to Apple engineers. The company's top management was warned over a year ago that the design of the iPhone's antenna would cause problems, but they decided to go ahead anyway because fixing the issue would impact the phone's size and weight.

Life is tough as an engineer. Last year Ruben Caballero, a senior engineer and antenna expert at Apple, reportedly warned the company's top management, including CEO Steven P. Jobs, that the current production plan was badly flawed. Lacking any insulation, he recognized from experience that the antenna would likely be in for some serious issues.

Bloomberg received the information from a source close to Caballero. Caballero, who still works at Apple has declined comment. Apple also declined comment.

It appears that Apple blatantly disregarded the call for insulating its antenna over fear that it would impact the phone's size or weight. The new antenna design, which wraps around the phone's frame was designed to minimize weight and size.